Steelers draft: Heads or tails?

April 30, 2012 - Ray Eckenrode

Looking at the Steelers 2012 draft through a glass half full and one half empty:

RD1 (24th overall), David DeCastro, OG, StanfordOptimist says: Technically sound and absurdly physical, DeCastro becomes a 10-year starter in the mold of Alan Faneca or Steve Hutchinson.Pessimist says: The Steelers have won Super Bowls with a patchwork offensive line in the past, while DeCastro helps, the ongoing lack of playmaking defenders keeps Pittsburgh from getting back to the big game.

RD2 (56th overall), Mike Adams, LT, Ohio StateOptimist says: You don’t usually find franchise left tackles anywhere outside the top 15 picks, but the bizarre circumstances that brought Adams to Pittsburgh finally solve the Steelers longest-standing problem.Pessimist says: Steelers pay dearly for un-Steelerslike pick as Adams washes out and the dreaded game of musical tackles continue to haunt Pittsburgh.

RD3 (86th overall), Sean Spence, LB, MiamiOptimist says: Spence proves that evaluating talent based on college performance is so much better than weighing measurable as he becomes a solid, sideline-to-sideline performer and eventually unseats underachieving top 15 pick Lawrence Timmons.Pessimist says: Spence is never able to put enough weight on his small frame and is overwhelmed by blocking fullbacks and tight ends, remaining a backup throughout his short career.

RD5 (159th overall), Chris Rainey, RB, FloridaOptimist says: Todd Haley finds a number of ways to utilize Rainey’s straight-line speed in a rejuvenated screen game with Rainey working both out of the backfield and in the slot.Pessimist says: Rainey’s track speed doesn’t translate to the NFL and his small frame precludes him from making an impact any other way.